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Whilst free iPhone navigation applications aren't new, Navmii's latest NavFree solution, available for both iPhone and iPad is the most polished free option available by a long distance.

Based on Navmii's paid for application, NavFree uses OpenStreetMap data which means no charges for map updates although it does require a data connection to search the address database.

OpenStreetMap data has improved noticably in recent months, indeed each time we review a product that uses the data we are taken aback each time by just how quickly it improves. The data is so rich that it often looks a lot better than the paid for competitors and being open source, you can get involved and improve the map yourself.

If you have an iPhone or iPad, why not give it a go, the iTunes link is here.

Comments

Posted by Darren on Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:20 am

And good as this is for a free app, it does have quirks. A test route from my home results in the first few miles being along a footpath through a nature reserve.

Still some work to do on the routing and road/path classifications methinks

Darren Griffin - Editor

Posted by PaulB2005 on Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:02 am

I tried 5 postcodes all over the country. It failed to find one. Many local roads here are missing which you wouldn't necessarily know until you tried to travel somewhere. Whilst the big brand maps aren't absolutely 100% complete I can drive the length and breadth of the country in confidence. I can't travel 4 miles down the road with this offering due to the incomplete maps. i know the answer is to get out there and fill in the gaps but if I was travelling from A to B how can I be sure the bits in the middle are complete?

Posted by Navmii on Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:42 pm

Hi Guys,

First of all thanks for posting the news about Navfree!

Just wanted to give you and your readers a quick heads up. V.1 has a big bug with routing and address lookup (we are still getting used to the non standard OSM data)

An update that fixes these issues is already in review with Apple and should go live any day now!

You should see a BIG improvement in routes and address searches.

Thanks again!

Posted by MaFt on Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:01 pm

PaulB2005 Wrote:

I tried 5 postcodes all over the country. It failed to find one. Many local roads here are missing which you wouldn't necessarily know until you tried to travel somewhere.

remember, postcodes are owned by Royal Mail who charge mega money for licensing them - even more for their matching geolocations. from what i understand OSM use data from 'FreeThePostcode' which is a user-contributed database matching postcodes to coordinates.

you can also enter postcodes directly into OSM map edits.

MaFt

Posted by dougproctor on Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:24 pm

Is this to replace the other Navmii that as not been updated for months? One bought for £19.99?
I was also disappointed on trying to find my son's address in Lambeth - it failed to find it when every other one does. Shame as I liked the original Navmii but it badly needed updating.
Let's hope this update fixes these problems and then it might be a viable alternative.

Returned to a proper Garmin although still have Co-Pilot on a Galaxy S3!

Posted by PaulB2005 on Fri Oct 01, 2010 5:41 pm

It looks like will be able to buy Premium TeleAtlas maps in the near future.

Posted by PaulB2005 on Sat Oct 02, 2010 8:41 am

New version out now.

Postcodes look up seems fixed. First address I tried "no information about that house number".

I'll have another play later.

Mind you it did calculate a 300 mile journey in under 2 seconds!

Posted by Pocketgps on Sat Oct 02, 2010 10:06 am

I would NOT purchase anything from Navmii again.

Nearly 12 months ago I purchased their pc/notepad nav product. They said on their web site that the product would have own poi available in weeks, never updated. New maps during Q2 2010 never updated. The list goes on.

When you ask them on their forum, they don't even bother to answer any more now as the questions have been asked so many times by their customers. Three months ago they promised new maps, but have never updated them. So mapping on them now is either 2008 or early 2009.

Live and learn

My personal feelings are their products are not much better than beta releases. You have been warned from a paying customer.

Posted by dougproctor on Sat Oct 02, 2010 1:06 pm

Updated my product. Much better although my postcode lookup in Lomdon was sort of around the place I wanted.
The thing that is off putting is the speed limit indicator. It seems to read 20 a lot instead of the 30 it should be. Also it stays grey and turns red on occasions. Is this the overspeed indicator?
For a free product, it's not bad but we will see what the support is like. As has been said, I bought the other product that has had no updates whatsoever. Is this the replacement or what?
Doug

Returned to a proper Garmin although still have Co-Pilot on a Galaxy S3!

Posted by dorsetwurzel on Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:23 am

You can turn the speed limit indicator off. It was one of the things that I turned off as it doesnt seem to have any data for the speed limits round by me and takes up quite a bit a screen space.

Go to Preferences, Advanced, Warnings & Alerts, and move the slider to turn off 'Always Show speed limit'

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